Stop the f*cking election lies. Stop it.

Quite the timely post. I am an election worker and the chair of my precinct. It’s good to remind you of these safeguards. 

I spent the last hour with my fellow poll workers: we are in different parties and all with one goal. Ensure our voters are processed fairly, quickly, and expeditiously.

In Oscoda, we have consolidated precincts from four to two.  We have our AV board ready to go. Our precincts must be comprised of Democrats AND Republicans; we must have a balanced team. 

Voting is a PUBLIC PROCESS. If you want to walk into a polling place, there will be a place for you to sit and observe. You can’t interfere or speak to anyone, but you can watch! 

Equipment testing is July 21 at 1pm. This is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Public Accuracy test is July 21 at 3pm. Again, this is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Only people registered can vote in my precinct. They have to be in my e-pollbook as a registered voter. If they have received a ballot by mail, it will show up in my e-pollbook and I will NOT issue them a ballot until we check on the status of their ballot. (This happens: like homework, people lose their ballots, a dog destroyed one, etc). 

On election day, NOTHING is connected to the internet. Not my e-pollbook, not our tabulator, not my ICX machine, only my phone when I can get a signal. 

When closing out our precinct, every report is SIGNED BY ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN. 

Every tabulator tape is signed by EVERYONE WORKING. All the parties. 

Every report is signed by EVERYONE WORKING. All the parties. 

When locking ballots, the serial number is recorded in our report and is SIGNED BY ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN. 

When sealing the envelopes – one each for the local clerk, county clerk, and Board of Canvassers, the seals are SIGNED BY ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN.

The receiving board, who checks our work, is comprised of ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN.

We also have trained poll challengers. Challengers can be in the area to watch us work. We don’t know their party affiliation and we are always happy to have someone watch. 

Whatever you hear tonight, know this: it’s BULLSHIT. 

And if you buy the lies, I need you to CALL ME and explain EXACTLY how the alleged fraud worked. Because it can’t. 

Let's talk about the SAVE Act (and dispel the bullshit)

 I recently received an email from a local resident. He wrote this:

CAN YOU TELL ME IF THIS PARTY SUPPORTS THE ... SAVE AMERICA ACT ? PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY OR WHY NOT THANK YOU

One thing that seems to consistently distinguish MAGA email writers is the style: ALL CAPS, scattered punctuation, and a tone that suggests the conclusion was reached long before the question was asked. I knew this was unlikely to become a friendly exchange, but I responded anyway:

We do not support the SAVE Act. In fact, we are working hard to prevent its passage because it is a bad-faith political effort designed to sow doubt in our elections and undermine public confidence in the voting process.

As an election worker in Oscoda, I know firsthand that every voter who comes through our polling place has already completed the required process to establish their identity and eligibility.

Adding unnecessary federal requirements would create confusion, place additional burdens on voters and election officials, and make it harder for eligible citizens to participate in our democracy.

If you have additional questions, please stop by our office or contact your local clerk’s office.

And of course, he had to respond. This time, the CAP LOCK was off but still struggled with proper punctuation.

Sow doubt,make harder ,undermine ,confusion that’s what not having the save American act would do sorry but your wrong we need this passed before the mid terms

I guess that was all, but he forgot the period. And the reference to the Act was incorrect.

As an election worker, I am on the front lines of our voting process, and I am tired of hearing baseless and reckless claims from people who have clearly never worked an election.

Voters do not just waltz in and vote. Ballots do not magically appear in tabulators or ballot bags. They CAN’T. Every voter is checked in, every application is processed, every ballot is accounted for and reconciled with the e-pollbook, and every step is handled by trained workers following strict procedures.

The people spreading these fantasies are not exposing fraud; they are exposing how little they understand about how elections actually work.

Stop it.

What it's like to be a Democrat

Dan Rather wrote this about the former Grifter: 

He has changed what was until recently considered unacceptable behavior for our leaders. He has normalized bigotry, misogyny, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism.

He has changed how we socialize in public places. If politics comes up in conversation, we’re more often inclined to speak softly, if at all, and glance around to make sure we aren’t overheard. Not because we are ashamed of our views, but because we are concerned for our safety.

Full copy here. 

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) said that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and the U.S. Department of Justice are not doing enough to protect election workers from rising harassment and threats of violence, which Fontes argues is "imperiling our democracy." It's on the Rolling Stone here. 

I work elections and this is deeply personal. 

On my LinkedIn account, I have the same words I have on FB, Instagram, Threads, etc. 

Life on Lake Huron. Democrat. Ally. 

And in LinkedIn, I have Human Resources because I still do some (very selective) HR consulting. 

A well-meaning individual sent me a LI message and suggested I remove the word Democrat from my profile. With that word in my profile, companies may not consider me. 

My response was simple: I have no interest in working with anyone who thinks the current GOP is anything less than a full threat to our country and our democracy. So there would be and will continue to be mutual disinterest. But thank you for your concern.

How do we change the narrative? Why should we be afraid to take a position? 

What can you do?

More frequently than not, I get questions from people about what they can do to get involved.  If it hasn’t been clear, I am a Democrat, work elections, am involved in politics, and really, really, really loathe the GOP and its misogynistic, fascist slant.  I have written this so many times, that I just copy and paste.  But here, I will expand.  It comes down to time and money. 

If you have money: 

Politics is money. Help your local Democratic party. A recurring donation is best. Even if it’s $5 or $10 a month, offices can budget based on recurring donations. I support the Kalamazoo Democratic Party, the Michigan Democratic Party, and my favorite, the Iosco County Democratic Party.  More information here. 

Support candidates. Find your local candidate(s) and contribute monthly. Every single dollar makes a difference.  

- For State House, look here 
- For the US House, look here  (we have a moron representing us in both places but that’s another post) 

Make sure we elect a Democratic Senator to replace Debbie Stabenow who is retiring. Elissa Slotkin, Hill Harper, Pamela Pugh, Leslie Love, and Nasser Beydoun are Democratic candidates right now. Look at their profiles, pick one, and contribute.  

*If you are in another Blue state, find a red area in your state and invest there. If distance prevents you from helping with canvassing or office help, send them your money.  

If you have time: 

Sign up to help the party canvas. You can knock on doors, work the phone bank, and deliver signs. You can do this by contacting your local Democratic Party HQ.  

Volunteer to work in your local Democratic Party’s office. These offices are staffed by volunteers. We need you! The closer we get to elections, the more help we will all need. Consistent coverage in the offices with a physical community presence is so very important.  

Run for something. Anything. Democrats have quit running in some parts of the country, many in northern Michigan. It's money, resources, and for some, a safety issue. (I can't believe I am writing this in 2023 but here we are). They are amazing resources to help people run. Think about supporting your library, county commission, school board - any place where we need strong Democratic voices. There are so many excellent resources if you want to run. The best place to start is with your local Democratic party. I can help with resources, too.  

If you have a little bit of time: 

Sign up and work elections. THIS IS CRITICAL. Take a day or two off each year to work the elections.  Sign up with your local clerk or go to the Secretary of State’s website and your contact information will be forwarded to the location(s) of your choice.  (Many employers allow this as community service; check with your employer to see if you can take it off.  

Get to know your local representative. Write him/her/them a letter making sure to let them know what’s important to you.  The GOP in my area is famous for not showing up so we make sure to write letters and call their office(s).  And make sure you know how they are voting. You can look here and here. 

Write letters to the editor (if your paper publishes LTEs).  Paul and I write a letter every single month. We write to counter the Big Lie, to fight disinformation, and make sure there are Democratic voices in the public eye every single month. 

Read. I love Heather Cox Richardson, Bridge MI, the Atlantic, and Dean Obeidallah. Attend trainings and webinars. I particularly love Contest Every Race, Rust Belt Rising, and the National Democratic Training Committee.  

There is a LOT HERE. And I have really smart friends who will add to this post. If you want to talk more about this, I have so much more information. And great links on my website.  

Why Voting Matters

Voting matters because it is a fundamental right and responsibility of citizens in a democracy. It is our way of having a say in the government and the decisions that are made that affect our lives. When we vote, we are essentially telling our elected officials what we want them to do. We are also sending a message to the rest of the world that we care about our democracy and that we want to be involved in the process.

There are many reasons why voting matters, including:

• It is our right as citizens. Voting is a fundamental right that is guaranteed to us by the Constitution. It is our way of participating in our democracy and making our voices heard.
• It affects our lives. The decisions that are made by our elected officials have a direct impact on our lives. Whether it is the quality of our schools, the cost of our healthcare, or the safety of our communities, our votes can make a difference.
• It sends a message. When we vote, we are sending a message to our elected officials about what we care about. We are also sending a message to the rest of the world that we care about our democracy and that we want to be involved in the process.
• It makes our democracy stronger. When more people vote, our democracy is stronger. It means that our elected officials are more accountable to the people they represent. It also means that our government is more responsive to the needs of the people.

Here are some specific examples of how voting has made a difference:

• In 2018, the midterm elections saw a record turnout of young voters. This helped to elect a record number of women and people of color to Congress.
• In 2020, the presidential election was decided by a few thousand votes in a few key states. This shows how important every vote is, even in a close election.
• In local elections, even small changes in the outcome can have a big impact on the lives of people in the community. For example, a vote on a school budget can determine whether or not a school is closed or whether or not teachers are laid off.

Is voting secure? Of course it is thanks to a number of safeguards that are in place to prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of the election process. These safeguards include:

• Voter registration. Voters must be registered to vote in order to cast a ballot. This helps to ensure that only eligible voters are able to vote.
• Voting equipment. Voting equipment is tested and certified to ensure that it is accurate and secure.
• Chain of custody. Ballots are tracked throughout the election process to ensure that they are not tampered with. This is key. 
• Audits. Elections are audited to ensure that the results are accurate.
• Security measures. Voting places are secure to prevent unauthorized access.

Should you vote? Absolutely; voting is your right, it affects your life, it sends a message, and it makes our democracy stronger. If you don't vote, you are essentially giving up your voice and your power to make a difference. So, make sure to register to vote and cast your ballot in every election. Your vote matters! 

H/T to Bard for help with this post. With love from the Lake. 

What in the world

A while ago, several years actually, I wrote a post about returning to my writing.  And then, everything changed. 

We lost my father-in-law, my sister-in-law, and Samson. Our hearts broke. 

We tore down a cottage and built our new home. 

We lived through a pandemic. We saw the best in people and the worst in people.  We didn't leave the house, except to drive north or buy toilet paper, for months.  Then, vaccines. All the vaccines. Every single one of them. Thank you, science.  

I retired, sort of. I do some consulting when I want to and only with fun and fabulous people. 

I spend most of my time at our home on Lake Huron.  

We came dangerously close to losing our democracy. We aren't out of the woods yet. 

Now, I support and work elections. That's what you will find here.